The History of DUI Laws and BAC Regulations

When gasoline-powered cars were first introduced in the United States in 1893, there were no DUI laws prohibiting people from driving while intoxicated. Perhaps the novelty and scarcity of cars in the late 19^th century made it difficult to predict alcohol-impaired driving would become a major threat to public safety.

More than a century later, drunk driving remains a regular occurrence on American roadways. In 2021, there were 121,345 motor vehicle accidents in Arizona, out of which 5,620 were alcohol-related crashes.

While this number is high, it’s much lower than the number of drunk driving accidents that occurred in decades past. For instance, in 2002 the number of alcohol-related crashes in Arizona was 8,100—significantly more than last year.

As state laws and societal views on driving drunk have become harsher and more rigid, people are less likely to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. It’s taken many years, accidents and personal tragedies to create more strict laws and penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The Highlights of DUI Laws and BAC Regulations in the U.S.

The history and evolution of DUI laws is long and complicated, but there are certain critical points worth mentioning to help illustrate how the country went from having no DUI laws to the strict present-day laws all drivers must respect.

When Did Drunk Driving Become Illegal?

In 1910, New York was the first state to prohibit drinking and driving. Soon after (in 1911), California also made drinking and driving illegal. Other states were quick to follow suit and pass their own DUI laws.

The Drunkometer

Measuring how much alcohol a person consumed was initially done with the drunkometer. The device was invented by Dr. Rola Harger, an Indiana University professor of toxicology, and was first introduced to the public in 1936—three years after the end of prohibition.

The balloon-like drunkometer would determine a person’s BAC level once they blew into the contraption. The device was widely used by law enforcement for almost 20 years until the introduction of the breathalyzer in 1953.

Establishing the Blood Alcohol Concentration Limit (BAC)

In 1938, DUI laws across the country became more consistent with the introduction and implementation of the first widely accepted blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit.

0.15 percent became the national limit, meaning if someone was caught driving and their BAC was above 0.15, they were considered impaired in the eyes of law. It wasn’t until 1998 that the national standard BAC limit was reduced to .08 percent, where it remains.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Mothers Against Drunk Driving advocates for strict DUI laws, supports victims of drunk driving and educates the public on the far-reaching and life-altering consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

As the name implies, the non-profit organization was founded by a grieving mother, Candace Lightner. In 1980, Candace’s 13-year-old daughter, Cari was killed by a drunk driver in a hit-and-run crash in Fair Oaks, California. Due to the leniency of California DUI laws at the time, the 46-year-old driver was able to operate his car intoxicated despite having three prior DUI convictions.

Cari’s senseless death fueled her mother’s passion to create stricter laws for drunk driving across the entire country. The organization’s greatest accomplishment was contributing to the passage of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which increased the legal drinking age to 21.

Present-Day DUI Laws in Arizona

Out of 50 states, Arizona is considered the strictest when it comes to DUI laws. Arizona’s tough stance on drunk driving is reflected in the state’s unforgiving penalties, even for first-time DUI offenders.

Penalties for drunk driving in the Grand Canyon State include days, weeks and sometimes even months of jail time, hefty fines in the thousands, a suspended license for up to 360 days and not being able to drive without having an ignition interlock device installed in the offender’s vehicle for up to one year.

Facing DUI Charges? Contact the Law Office of Michael Alarid III in Phoenix

If you’re currently facing a DUI charge in Phoenix, consider discussing your case with an experienced DUI defense attorney like Michael Alarid.

Drivers charged in the state with the strictest DUI laws in the nation may benefit from reliable and aggressive legal representation. At the Law Office of Michael Alarid III, we understand everyone makes mistakes. We’ll do our best to prevent a bad decision from ruining your future.

To schedule a free consultation, call 602.818.3110.